The effect of montmorillonite on the thermal decomposition of fatty acids under "bulk flow" conditions

Z. Aizenshtat*, I. Miloslavsky, L. Heller-Kallai

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

The decomposition of palmitic (C16), stearic (C18) and behenic (C22) acids with and without montmorillonite was studied in an inert atmosphere under isothermal (250 C) "bulk flow" conditions, using a CDS-820ZA automated pyro-analyser. The C8C21 hydrocarbons and the CO2 evolved were determined. It appears that in this open system montmorillonite affected the retention time of the acids and hence the kinetics of the reactions rather than the nature of the hydrocarbons formed. The reaction kinetics were very sensitive to changes in experimental conditions. The rate of hydrocarbon formation depended on the chain length of the carboxylic acid. In the absence of montmorillonite palmitic acid tended to sublimate before appreciable amounts of hydrocarbons were formed, stearic acid decomposed to give a range of n alkanes and alkanes while behenic acid yielded only very minor amounts of hydrocarbons. The presence of montmorillonite retarded hydrocarbon evolution with stearic acid. The hydrocarbon with one carbon atom less than the parent acid predominated in all one hour runs and the yield was increased by the presence of montmorillonite. The amount of CO2 evolved never exceeded 10% of the maximum possible. It appears that the reaction mechanism is complex with several processes occurring concurrently.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)85-90
Number of pages6
JournalOrganic Geochemistry
Volume7
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1984

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